19.5 - Debates of the US Presidency Flashcards
Who wrote the imperial presidency?
Arthur Schlesinger Jr.
What is the imperial presidency?
A presidency that is overly powerful due to a lack of checks and balances.
What is an imperilled presidency?
A president who finds it difficult to exercise his constitutional powers in the face of overly effective checks and balances.
What is a lame duck president?
Formally, a president holding office after an election that he has not won; informally, a weak president.
How can a president become ‘imperial’?
When Congressional checks and ablances are unused or ineffective.
If a president evades congressional checks by exec. orders or agreements.
What is the formal definition of a lame duck president?
A president who is not continuing in office in January, but is still holding office.
How can a president’s power be inferred?
Their poll ratings.
What section of policy does the president have most of his power?
Foreign policy.
How can the president attempt to control foreign policy?
- The creation of treaties (Senate-confirmable, although can circumvent by using exec. agreements)
- The reception of ambassadors.
- Appointment of US officials to control foreign policy.
- Role as commander-in-chief
- During emergencies, Congress acts in deference to President.
How can the Congress attempt to control foreign policy?
- Using powers to fund or defund military action (2007 Democrats defund Iraq War).
- Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to authorise or deauthorise military action.
- Ratifies treaties and appointments.
- Legislative power to control foreign policy.